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CONSTITUTION 


AND 


BY-LAWS 


OF  THE 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETi 


NEW  MEXICO 


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http://www.archive.org/details/constitutionbylaOOhistrich 


CONSTITUTION 


BY  -LAWS 


or     THE 


HISTORICAL    SOCIETY 


NE^V\^    nVIEXICO 


Organized,  Santa  Fc,  N.  M.,  Dec.  26,  1859. 


ST.    LOUIS: 
GEORGE  KNAPP  &  CO.,  PRINTERS. 

1860. 


OFFICE  II  S. 


President, 
Jno.  B.  Grayson,  Col.  U.  S.  Army. 

Vice  President, 
Wm.  a.  Street,  Esq. 

Corresponding  Secretary, 
Wm.  J.  Sloan,  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Recording  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
D.  V,  Whiting,  Esq. 

Curator  and  Librarian, 
WiNSLOw  J.  Howard. 


CONSTITUTION. 


PREAMBLE, 

We,  whose  names  are  hereto  annexed,  residents 
of  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  fully  impressed 
with  the  vast  field  for  historical  research  which  sur- 
rounds us ;  determined  to  devote  our  best  energies 
to  the  elucidation  of  the  history  of  this  country, 
hitherto  unwritten ;  and  anxious  to  cooperate  in 
combined  effort  for  this  object,  do  now  form  an 
Association,  and  ordain  for  our  government  the 
following 

CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE      I. 
Name, 

This  Society  shall  be  called  the  Historical  So- 
ciety OF  New  Mexico. 


ARTICLE      II. 

Object. 

The  object  of  this  Society  shall  be  the  collection 
and  preservation,  under  its  own  care  and  direction, 
of  all  historical  facts,  manuscripts,  documents,  rec- 
ords, and  memoirs,  relating  to  the  history  of  this 
Territory  ;  Indian  antiquities  and  curiosities  ;  geo- 
logical and  mineralogical  specimens  ;  geographical 
maps  and  information  ;  and  objects  of  Natural  His- 
tory. 

.  ARTICLE      III. 

Officers. 

Section  1.  Its  officers  shall  be  a  President,  Vice 
President,  Corresponding  Secretary,  Recording  Sec- 
retary (who  shall  be,  ex  officio,  Treasurer),  and  a 
Curator  (who  shall  be,  ex  officio,  Librarian). 

Sec.  2.  The  above  officers  shall  hold  their  respec- 
tive positions  for  one  year,  except  the  Correspond- 
ing Secretary,  who  shall  hold  office  during  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  Society.  The  first  election  shall  be  held 
immediately  after  the  adoption  of  the  constitution, 
and  be  by  ballot ;  requiring  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of 
the  members  present.  All  subsequent  elections 
shall  be  held  at  the  regular  meeting  in  December 


of  each  year,  in  the  mode  and  manner  above  pre- 
scribed. 

Sec.  3.  The  President  shall  preside,  preserve  or- 
der, regulate  the  proceedings  of  the  Society,  and 
state  and  put  all  questions  to  vote. 

Sec.  4.  The  Yice  President  shall  exercise  all  du- 
ties pertaining  to  the  office  of  President,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  latter  from  any  meeting. 

Sec.  5.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  give 
notice  to  all  newly  elected  members,  of  their  elec- 
tion ;  and  he  shall  manage  all  matters  relating  to 
the  interests  of  the  Society  requiring  correspond- 
ence. He  shall  read  to  the  Society  all  communica- 
tions, and  replies,  which  he  may  have  made  and 
received  djiiring  the  preceding  recess,  and  then  de- 
liver them  to  the  Eecording  Secretary.  He  shall 
perform  such  other  duties,  pertaining  to  his  office, 
as  the  President  or  Society  may  direct ;  and  shall 
preside  during  the  absence  of  the  President  and 
Yice  President. 

Sec.  6.  The  Recording  Secretary  thall  keep  a  fair 
record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Society.  He 
shall  keep  a  correct  list  of  all  the  members,  and 
furnish  the  Corresponding  Secretary  with  the  names 
and  places  of  residence  of  all  newly  elected  mem- 
bers, and  the  time  of  their  election.     He  shall  keep 


in  his  possession  all  communications,  records  and 
other  papers  belonging  to  the  Society,  and  to  which 
all  members  shall  have  access.  As  ex  officio  Treas- 
urer, he  shall  take  charge  of  all  funds,  and  report 
quarterly  on  the  condition  of  the  Treasury. 

Sec.  7.  The  Curator  shall  take  charge  of,  and 
classify,  all  Indian  antiquities  and  curiosities  ;  geo- 
logical and  mineralogical  specimens ;  geographical 
maps,  and  objects  of  natural  history. 

Sec.  8.  In  the  absence  of  the  presiding  officers 
above  designated,  the  Society  may  elect  a  President 
pro  tern, ;  and  in  the  absence  of  other  officers,  the 
presiding  officer  may  appoint  pro  tern. 

ARTICLE      IV. 
Meetings. 

The  regular  meeting  of  the  Society  shall  be  held 
on  the  last  Monday  of  each  month ;  and  special 
meetings  may  be  called  at  any  time,  by  the  Presi- 
dent, upon  the  application  of  five  members,  or  by 
the  resolution  of  any  previous  meeting. 

ARTICLE      V. 

Membership. 

Section  1.  Application  for  membership  must  be 
made  to  the  Society,  at  one  of  its  regular  meetings, 


9 

in  writing,  and  recommended  by  two  members  ; 
which  application  shall  lie  upon  the  table  until  the 
next  regular  meeting  thereafter,  when  a  ballot  shall 
be  had.  A  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members  pres- 
ent shall  be  necessary  to  an  election. 

Sec.  2.  Persons,  not  residents  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico,  may  be  proposed  as  honorary  members 
of  the  Society,  by  a  member,  and  may  be  elected  at 
any  regular  meeting,  provided  three  fourths  of  the 
members  concur  therein. 

Sec.  3.  Corresponding  members  may  be  elected, 
by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members  present,  at 
any  regular  meeting. 

Sec.  4.  All  persons  who  shall  subscribe  to  this 
constitution,  or  be  elected  members  of  the  Society 
in  accordance  with  its  provisions,  shall  pay  to  the 
Treasurer  five  dollars. 

ARTICLE      VI. 

Specific  Objects. 

Section  1.  To  render  effective  the  action  of  the 
Society,  it  shall  be  divided  into  permanent  Sections ; 
each  Section  to  be  composed  of  three  members,  to 
be  chosen  by  ballot,  and  each  Section  to  choose  its 
own  chairman.  These  Sections  shall  be  designated 
as  follows,  viz : 
2 


10 

1.  The  Section  on  History. 

2.  The  Section  on  Geography. 

3.  The  Section  on  the  Indian  Races. 

4.  The  Section  on  Geology  and  Mineralogy. 

5.  The  Section  on  Antiquities  and  Collections. 

6.  The  Section  on  Natural  History. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  Section  above 
designated  to  take  cognizance  of  all  details  connect- 
ed with  that  particular  department ;  keep  a  record 
of  its  sessions  and  proceedings,  and  submit  its  pa- 
pers and  reports,  when  completed,  to  the  Society,  for 
its  action,  and  for  preservation  among  its  archives. 

Sec.  3.  Yacancies  may  be  filled  by  the  President, 
and  the  permanent  officers  shall  not  be  precluded, 
by  virtue  of  office,  from  election  to  any  Section. 

Sec.  4.  All  documents,  maps,  manuscripts,  speci- 
mens, antiquities,  curiosities,  &c.,  collected  by  the 
Sections,  shall  be  deposited,  as  heretofore  directed, 
with  the  Recording  Secretary  or  Curator,  for  the 
use  of  the  Society. 

ARTICLE     VII. 

Seal  and  Certificate  of  Membership. 

The  Society  may  provide  a  suitable  seal  and  de- 
vice, and  issue  certificates  of  membership,  under 
such  regulations  as  may  bo  deemed  necessary. 


11 


ARTICLE      VIII. 
By-Laws. 

The  Society  may  make  such  by-laws  as  may  be 
deemed  necessary,  in  accordance  with  the  objects 
and  powers  of  the  constitution. 

ARTICLE      IX. 

Seven  members  of  the  Society  shall  be  necessary 
to  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  busi- 
ness at  any  meeting ;  but  a  less  number  may  ad- 
journ to  the  next  regular  meeting. 

ARTICLE      X. 

No  amendments  shall  be  made  to  this  constitution 
unless  submitted  in  writing  at  a  regular  meeting  of 
the  Society,  and  concurred  in  at  the  next  regular 
meeting  by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members 
present. 


B  Y-  L  AWS 


ARTICLE      I. 

The  annual  meetings  of  this  Society  sliall  be  held 
on  the  last  Monday  in  December,  of  each  year,  the 
anniversary  of  its  organization..  The  election  of  offi- 
cers for  the  next  ensuing  year  shall  then  be  made. 
Nominations  for  officers  shall  be  made  at  the  month- 
ly meeting  next  preceding  the  annual  meeting,  and 
shall  be  recorded  in  the  minutes. 

ARTICLE     II. 

All  committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, unless  otherwise  ordered  by  resolution. 

ARTICLE     III. 

Section  1.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  keep, 
in  addition  to  the  records  of  the  meeting,  a  book 
containing  the  Constitution  and  By-laws  of  the  So- 
ciety, which  shall  be  subscribed  by  the  members 


14 

thereof  on  the  evening  of  their  admission,  with  their 
place  of  residence  and  date  of  admission :  he  shall 
also  enter  in  said  book  all  amendments  made  to  the 
constitution  and  by-laws.  He  shall  also  keep  a  Cash 
Book,  in  which  he  shall  enter  all  moneys  received  by 
him,  from  whatever  source,  and  all  payments  made 
on  account  of  the  Society.  He  shall  also  keep  a 
check  or  warrant  book,  from  which  he  shall  fill  up 
all  checks  for  the  signature  of  the  President,  and 
such  other  books  as  the  Society  or  the  President 
may  deem  necessary. 

Sec.  2.  As  ex  officio  Treasurer,  he  shall  not  pay 
out  any  money  unless  on  a  warrant  drawn  by  the 
President,  under  the  ^eal  of  the  Society;  and,  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term,  and  upon  a  final  settle- 
ment of  his  accounts  by  the  Finance  Committee,  he 
shall  turn  over  any  balance  of  money  in  his  hands 
to  his  successor  in  office,  taking  his  receipt  therefor. 

ARTICLE     IV. 

On  the  evening  of  his  installation  into  office,  the 
President  shall  appoint  two  committees,  consisting 
of  three  members  each,  to  be  styled  the  "Finance 
Committee"  and  the  "Committee  of  Arrangements," 
who  shall  serve  for  one  year :  Provided,  that  all  the 
committees  required  to  be  appointed  under  these 


15 

by-laws,  for  the  first  term  shall  be  appointed  imme- 
diately after  their  adoption. 

ARTICLE     V. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Finance  Committee 
to  inspect  the  books  of  the  Secretaries  and  the  Treas- 
urer, examine  and  audit  all  accounts  for  purchases 
and  expenditures  made  by  the  Secretaries,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Arrangements,  and  report  the  same  to  the 
Kecording  Secretary  for  payment.  They  shall  keep 
a  book  in  which  shall  be  entered  the  number  of  each 
account  audited,  in  whose  favor,  and  the  amount 
thereof.  At  the  expiration  of  their  term,  they  shall 
render  a  report  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  So- 
ciety, stating  the  amount  received  and  expended,  as 
well  as  the  amount  of  funds  in  the  hands  of  the 
Treasurer  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office. 

ARTICLE     VI. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee 
of  Arrangements  to  procure  a  suitable  room  or  rooms 
for  the  use  of  the  Society  ;  procure  all  furniture  and 
other  articles  which  may  be  necessary  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  archives  and  cabinets  of  specimens 
belonging  to  the  Society,  or  tending  to  its  comfort 
and  accommodation.  Tliey  shall  superintend  the 
publication  of  all  documents,  reports,  &c.,  ordered 


to  be  printed,  and  shall  have  the  supervision  and 
management  of  all  matters  having  reference  to  the 
internal  arrangements  and  well-being  of  the  Society. 
They  shall  present  all  bills  for  purchases  and  ex- 
penditures made  by  them  to  the  Finance  Commit- 
tee, to  be  audited  and  settled. 

Sec.  2.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  from  the  decision 
of  the  Finance  Committee  by  the  Committee  of  Ar- 
rangements, whenever  necessary,  to  the  Society,  in 
session,  at  any  regular  monthly  meeting. 

ARTICLE     VII. 

The  Recording  Secretary  shall  procure  printed, 
engraved,  or  illumined,  diplomas  or  certificates  of 
membership,  which  he  shall  fill  up  with  the  name  of 
each  member  and  the  date  of  his  admission,  stating 
the  class  of  his  membership,  whether  a  member,  a 
corresponding  member,  or  an  honorary  member ; 
and  after  causing  it  to  be  signed  by  the  President, 
and  affixing  the  seal  thereto,  duly  attested,  he  shall 
deliver  the  same  to  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  for 
transmission. 

ARTICLE      VIII. 

Each  member  shall  pay  into  the  Treasury,  month- 
ly, the  sum  of  one  dollar,  as  dues,  which  may  be  in- 
creased or  diminished  only  upon  a  motion  in  wri- 


17 

ting  made  at  a  regular  meeting,  and  which  shall  lie 
over  until  the  next  regular  meeting  and  be  adopted 
by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members  present. 

ARTICLE     IX. 

Any  member  failing  to  pay  his  dues  for  six 
months,  upon  being  notified  by  the  Secretary,  sta- 
ting the  amount  due,  shall  forfeit  his  membership, 
unless  a  sufficient  excuse  be  given  and  accepted  by 
the  Society. 

ARTICLE     X. 

Any  member  may  withdraw  from  the  Society  up- 
on presenting  a  written  resignation,  accompanied  by 
the  Treasurer's  receipt  for  all  indebtedness  on  his 
part  to  the  Society. 

ARTICLEXI. 

Section  1.  The  following  shall  be  the  order  of 
business  after  the  meeting  is  called  to  order,  viz : 

1.  Reading  the  minutes  of  the  last  stated  and  in- 

tervening meetings. 

2.  Application  of  candidates  for  membership. 

3.  Election  and  admission  of  new  members. 

4.  Unfinished  business. 

5.  Reports  of  committees  and  action  thereon. 

6.  Election  of  officers. 

7.  Resolutions. 

3 


18 


8.  Communications  received,  read,  and  disposed 

of. 

9.  Reports  from  Sections. 

10.  Reading  of  papers  by  members  present,  and 
addresses  on  subjects  embraced  within  the 
objects  of  the  Society. 

Sec.  2.  The  above  order  of  business  may  be  dis- 
pensed with  by  a  vote  of  the  Society. 

ARTICLE    XII. 

No  other  matter  shall  be  discussed  at  any  special 
meeting  except  that  for  which  it  has  been  called, 
and  no  appropriation  of  money  shall  be  made  except 
at  a  regular  meeting. 

ARTICLE      XIII. 

All  proceedings  at  the  meetings  of  this  Society 
shall  be  governed  by  the  most  approved  parliament- 
ary rules.  All  motions  shall  be  reduced  to  writing 
when  required  by  the  President,  and  an  appeal  may 
always  be  had  to  the  Society  from  the  decision  of 
the  chair. 

ARTICLE     XIV. 

Upon  the  death  of  a  member  of  this  Society,  in 
good  standing,  if  a  resident  of  the  place  where  the 
meetings  of  the  Society  are  held,  his  funeral  shall 
be  attended  by  the  Society  in  a  body,  and  the  mem- 


1» 

bers   thereof  shall  wear  the   customary  badge  of 
mourning  for  thirty  days. 

ARTICLE     XV. 

The  hour  of  meeting  of  this  Society  shall  be,  from 
October  1st  to  April  30th,  at  7  o'clock  P.  M. ,  and 
from  May  1st  to  September  30th,  at  8  o'clock  P.  M. 

ARTICLE      XVI. 

All  donations  made  to  the  Society  shall  be  report- 
ed and  entered  upon  the  minutes. 

ARTICLE      XVII. 

No  additions  or  amendments  shall  be  made  to 
these  by-laws  unless  submitted  in  writing  at  a  regu- 
lar meeting  of  the  Society,  and  concurred  in  at  the 
next  regular  meeting  by  a  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the 
members  present. 


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